A year after the Oscars finally honored Martin Scorsese as best director, the academy took care of business in speedier fashion by feting the widely admired Coen brothers.

Though Joel and Ethan Coen’s many die-hard fans might say their win was nevertheless belated — it coming 24 years after their first film — their Texas crime film ‘‘No Country for Old Men’’ has generally been viewed as a culmination of craft for the brothers.

The 50th anniversary Grammy Awards actually started in the middle of the day today, with 100 awards handed out in the pre-telecast portion of the event.

Kanye West, who leads the field with eight nominations, took home three during the pre-telecast, including best rap solo performance for "Stronger," best rap performance for "Southside," by Common featuring West and best rap/sung collaboration for "Good Life" by West and featuring T-Pain.

LONDON — Amy Winehouse’s visa to the United States has been granted, but the troubled singer won’t be traveling to the Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles to perform in person, her representatives said today.

More performances announced today for Sunday's Grammys telecast: a duet of Fergie and John Legend; Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban to perform together for the first time; John Fogerty with Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard in a special "Cornerstones of Rock" segment; and nominees Herbie Hancock and Lang Lang in a special classical/jazz segment (conducted by famed maestro John Mauceri).